No plea bargain reached for Warren deer hunters

Norb Franz/Daily Tribune
Myles Ehrat, left, and his attorney, Michael Chupa, listen to a Warren judge on Tuesday. Ehrat and his half-brother, William Francis, face a felony charge for killing a deer in Warren.

A court hearing for two men facing a felony charge for killing a deer in Warren was postponed Tuesday so their attorney can continue pursuing a plea bargain.

Thus far, negotiations with the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office has not resulted in a plea deal for Myles Edward Ehret, 19, of Royal Oak, and his half-brother, William Valentine Francis, 27, of Riverview,

Defense attorney Michael Chupa said at 37th District Court that he has had lengthy discussions with prosecutors in an effort to resolve the case.

“I do believe we are making progress,” he said.

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But county prosecutors do not offer plea agreements in case involving animal abuse.

“We are not trying to hold this case up at all,” Assistant Prosecutor Derek Miller told Judge Dean Ausilio.

Ehret and Francis are charged with killing/torturing an animal, accused of using a bow and arrow to kill a 5-point buck along the Red Run Drain near Van Dyke and 14 Mile Road. The felony offense is punishable by up to four years behind bars.

On Dec. 21, the pair was seen dragging a deer out of the woods on a sled. The tipster said one of the men drove away in a U-Haul pickup and the other left in a blue car.

Warren undercover officers went to a U-Haul facility at 13 Mile and Ryan roads, and spotted a blue Subaru that matched the description provided to police. Inside the car, officers spotted and confiscated a pop-up hunting blind, a propane heater, a bow, a folding chair, other hunting equipment, and corn, according to a police report. Officers obtained a search warrant and confiscated the vehicle, police said.

Shortly after the suspects arrived at the rental facility, police pulled over the driver.

Police noticed deer hair, blood and an arrow in the back of the truck. Ehret and Francis, both of whom were sitting in the vehicle, had dried blood on their hands, police reported.

Officers later found a dead 5-point buck in a garage at Francis’ home in Wayne County.

The hearing Tuesday that was intended to determine whether Ehret and Francis should stand trial in Macomb County Circuit Court was adjourned by Ausilio to March 5 to allow the defense to turn to top officials at the prosecutor’s office to discuss a potential plea.

Under Michigan law, a person charged with a felony for killing or torturing an animal without just cause, also can be fined $5,000 -- plus $2,500 for each additional harmed animal, to a maximum of $20,000. A judge also can order convicted offenders to perform 500 hours of community service and prohibit them from owning an animal.

A couple of residents who live in a neighborhood near the Red Run Drain and the Warren Waste Water Treatment Plant attended the hearing.

“I don’t think they deserve jail time. I think they deserve a fine and community service,” said Tina Sittaro of Knapp Avenue. “Hopefully they’ll learn their lesson.”

Sittaro’s 11-year-old son, Tyler, spotted the deer hunting suspects as they pulled the dead deer on a sled. Tyler, a student at Fillmore Elementary School in Sterling Heights, received gift certificates to Dunham Sports and Andiamo Italia restaurant from Mayor James Fouts last month for telling a neighbor who then phoned police.

Residents in the area believe there a few dozen deer in the area. The deer appear timid. Some residents feed the deer and have names for them like “Roo”, “Nanna” and “Callahan,” said one man who enjoys photographing the deer but declined to give his name.

“I fed one by hand,” he said.

Hunting is prohibited under a Warren city ordinance. Violators can be charged with a misdemeanor and sentenced to up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Discharge of a bow and arrow with a penetrating tip or head also if prohibited by local ordinance, except for lawful self-defense.